New research projects in FISA

PigWel - Developing and evaluating safe concepts for renovating conventional barns to accommodate unclipped piglets

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:05:27 +0200

Slurry fermentation as a way to lower methane emissions

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:57:01 +0200

Grain millet as a new crop in crop rotation systems for drylands

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:54:51 +0200

currently unavailable

Strengthening the domestic protein supply by securing the protein content of winter wheat under future climate conditions

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:50:22 +0200

FutureWheatProtein builds on several complementary work packages that use experimental research under elevated CO2 levels with extensive secondary data analyzes and process-based modeling to derive recommendations for action. WP1 investigates genotypic response patterns to increased CO2 levels and drought stress under controlled greenhouse conditions. This involves extensive variety screening, which examines protein content, phenological development and growth as well as biomass yield and yield components and carries out corresponding QTL analyzes that enable conclusions to be drawn about the genetic background. Promising and contrasting genotypes will be selected and tested in WP2 under field conditions in the FACE facility for 2 years. In addition to morphological, phenological and physiological parameters, various quality parameters of the harvested grain are also examined. In addition, a comprehensive secondary data analysis is carried out in WP3, which examines long-term data over several decades under increasing CO2 levels and changing abiotic stress conditions and compares these for the same genotypes under current CO2 concentrations. Comparative analyzes will also be carried out using data from other regions of the world that are already experiencing less favorable weather conditions. AP4 uses the field data obtained from AP2 and complementary data sets to calibrate and evaluate process-based wheat models for contrasting genotypes and in particular to validate the CO2 response in the models. The models will then be used to examine Germany-wide simulations up to the end of the century for selected genotype × management conditions and to derive promising management strategies. WP5 integrates the knowledge gained and develops recommendations for action for even more sustainable and resilient wheat protein production in the future.

Supporting farmers and horticulturists in Hamburg to adapt their businesses to climate change – Phase 2

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:46:45 +0200

Climate change has become a reality in Hamburg too: heatwaves, heavy rainfall and other extreme weather events have become more frequent. This increases the weather-related risks for agricultural and horticultural businesses. Without appropriate preventive measures, these businesses are increasingly exposed to these risks. How can they better prepare their businesses?
In its previous project, “HaLaGa”, GERICS had already set itself the task of supporting agricultural and horticultural businesses with their risk management in the face of increasing weather-related risks.
In 2025, GERICS worked closely with six agricultural and horticultural businesses. During regular on-site visits, a method for conducting a climate risk analysis at farm level was jointly developed and implemented. Together with each business, an analysis was carried out to assess how weather-related risks might affect operational work processes and production systems, both now and in the future. In collaboration with the Hamburg Chamber of Agriculture, individual solutions were developed for each of the six agricultural and horticultural businesses that can help limit the consequences of weather-related risks. During dialogue rounds with the businesses and the Hamburg Chamber of Agriculture, the idea arose to develop a ‘vulnerability assessment’. This is intended to highlight how important it is for businesses to address weather-related risks as part of their risk management practices already today. In collaboration with the Hamburg Chamber of Agriculture, an initial prototype of such a ‘vulnerability assessment’ was developed in the summer of 2025.
In this second project phase, the work will continue for a further year as “HaLaGa2”. GERICS will, on the one hand, finalise the “vulnerability assessment” and, on the other, adapt the individual farm climate risk analysis so that it can be used effectively in advisory services. Together with the Hamburg Chamber of Agriculture’s advisory service, GERICS is also developing a concept for integrating advice on managing weather-related risks and adapting to the consequences of climate change into the Hamburg Chamber of Agriculture’s regular advisory practice.
GERICS will continue to support the six farms from the first project phase. In addition, the procedure developed during the first phase will be tested at two further agricultural and horticultural businesses in Hamburg.
In December 2026, the public event ‘Klimaschnack’ will take place.

Supporting farmers and horticulturists in Hamburg to adapt their businesses to climate change

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:12:27 +0200

In Hamburg, close to 600 agricultural and horticultural businesses operate on around 20% of the city’s total area. These businesses are already experiencing the effects of climate change. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events is leading, for example, to greater production risks for these businesses. In February 2025, the Hamburg Senate adopted a comprehensive strategy to adapt Hamburg to the impacts of climate change. For the agricultural sector, the strategy aims to make farms more resilient in the face of climate change. However, individual farm advisory services on adapting to the impacts of climate change have not yet been established.
The transdisciplinary HaLaGa project aims to enable participating farms to identify, assess and prioritise climate change-related risks and their own vulnerabilities, to develop corresponding adaptation options. GERICS is working closely with six selected farms and the Hamburg Chamber of Agriculture.
Each adaptation strategy is developed on the basis of a climate risk analysis to identify current and future climate risks and assess their relevance. Working closely with each of the three agricultural and three horticultural businesses, GERICS guides them through the individual steps, from preparation and the identification of specific impacts to the assessment of climate risks. In the next step, adaptation options are jointly developed to address current and future climate risks. For this process, GERICS also develops tailored climate information to assess climate risks and provides this to each farm. In addition to developing a framework for a vulnerability assessment, the project is also identifying options for action for the Hamburg city administration to create ideal conditions for businesses to implement adaptation measures.
In December 2025, an event will be held at the Hamburg Chamber of Agriculture, bringing together all participating businesses, representatives from the Chamber of Agriculture and the Ministry for the Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture, as well as other interested stakeholders.

Agroforestry for more resilience in organic farming - farmers-led research network

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:13:29 +0200

The practice-led research network aims to utilise the resilience potential of agroforestry for organic farming. A network of 20 organic farms with already established agroforestry systems in three regions of Germany (north-east, middle, south), research is to be carried out into how the ecological and economic resilience of organic farming to climate change can be increased through agroforestry. The questions were already aligned with practical farms during the initial conceptualisation phase. In crop production, the objective is to increase the soil and plant health and their yield effect. In the field of animal husbandry, the reduction of heat stress and the improvement of nitrogen distribution on the land for grazing cattle and laying hens, as well as the utilisation of leafy fodder, are of particular interest. Scientific analyses are complemented by empirical knowledge and practice-oriented monitoring. All information is integrated and then economically analysed. Results on economics, ecosystem services, scalability, conflicting objectives and best-case analyses lead to the further development of existing open source tools for planning in consultancy and practice. The inclusion of advisory service in the projects ensures the mutual transfer of practical knowledge and project results for the farms, practice-relevant research questions and reflected solution concepts. The transfer includes a regional, collegial exchange of knowledge between the farms, thematic hubs and an upscaling via practical formats and materials, which are both made freely accessible on a permanent basis and widely disseminated and continued through the involvement of multipliers. The network is being set up using impact-oriented, participatory methods and is geared towards sustainability from the outset through close cooperation with around 20 associated partners from the fields of networking, research, consultancy and transfer.

Agroforestry for more resilience in organic farming - farmers-led research network

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:04:54 +0200

The research question to be answered is to what extent can the resilience of grazing systems be improved by reducing the heat stress of grazing cattle and their urine-related nitrogen emissions in established agroforestry systems, while at the same time increasing grassland yield and quality?

Agroforestry for more resilience in organic farming - farmers-led research network

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0200

The aim of the practical research network (PFN) on agroforestry systems (AFS) in organic farming (OF) is to establish a permanent network of approx. 20 organic farms with AFS as well as research and consulting for the investigation and dissemination of resilience-enhancing measures for OF through AFS. In order to ensure the continuity of the PFN's work, around 20 associated partners from networking, consulting, transfer and research will be actively involved. The aim is to achieve networking and dissemination of the practical results far beyond the duration of the PFN and throughout Germany. The aim of the PFN is to harness the potential of AFS to increase resilience for the oil sector. The work focuses on the development of action-oriented, applicable resilience concepts. AFS can reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts and biodiversity loss and thus increase the ecological resilience of agricultural production systems. In addition, they make oil sustainable by making a clearly positive contribution to climate and water protection, increasing animal welfare and diversifying the product range with increased domestic production of nuts and fruit as central building blocks of the planetary diet, thus ensuring the UN sustainability goal of health through the “One Health” approach as the health of all organisms in the agroecosystem, including humans. In addition to increasing ecological resilience, AFS also have the potential to increase the socio-economic resilience of farms through diversification of the cultivation system, new business models, public benefits and potentially socially recognized forms of cultivation. As part of the project, the JKI will investigate the influence of AFS on soil health and the link between soil and plant health.

Agroforestry for more resilience in organic farming - farmers-led research network

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:58:09 +0200

The practice-led research network aims to utilise the resilience potential of agroforestry for organic farming. A network of 20 organic farms with already established agroforestry systems in three regions of Germany (north-east, middle, south), research is to be carried out into how the ecological and economic resilience of organic farming to climate change can be increased through agroforestry. The questions were already aligned with practical farms during the initial conceptualisation phase. In crop production, the objective is to increase the soil and plant health and their yield effect. In the field of animal husbandry, the reduction of heat stress and the improvement of nitrogen distribution on the land for grazing cattle and laying hens, as well as the utilisation of leafy fodder, are of particular interest. Scientific analyses are complemented by empirical knowledge and practice-oriented monitoring. All information is integrated and then economically analysed. Results on economics, ecosystem services, scalability, conflicting objectives and best-case analyses lead to the further development of existing open source tools for planning in consultancy and practice. A comprehensive advisory service for the farms ensures the mutual transfer of practical knowledge and project results, practice-relevant research questions and reflected solution concepts. The transfer includes a regional, collegial exchange of knowledge between the farms, thematic hubs and an upscaling via practical formats and materials, which are both made freely accessible on a permanent basis and widely disseminated and continued through the involvement of multipliers. The network is being set up using impact-oriented, participatory methods and is geared towards sustainability from the outset through close cooperation with around 20 associated partners from the fields of networking, research, consultancy and transfer.

Agroforestry for more resilience in organic farming - farmers-led research network

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:55:08 +0200

The practice-led research network aims to utilise the resilience potential of agroforestry for organic farming. A network of 20 organic farms with already established agroforestry systems in three regions of Germany (northeast, middle, south), research is to be carried out into how the ecological and economic resilience of organic farming to climate change can be increased through agroforestry. The questions were already aligned with practical farms during the initial conceptualisation phase. In crop production, the objective is to increase the soil and plant health and their yield effect. In the field of animal husbandry, the reduction of heat stress and the improvement of nitrogen distribution on the land for grazing cattle and laying hens, as well as the utilisation of leafy fodder, are of particular interest. Empirical knowledge and practice-oriented monitoring complement scientific analyses. All information is integrated and then economically analysed. Results on economics, ecosystem services, scalability, conflicting objectives and best-case analyses lead to the further development of existing open source tools for planning in consultancy and practice. The inclusion of advisory service in the projects ensures the mutual transfer of practical knowledge and project results for the farms, practice-relevant research questions and reflected solution concepts. The transfer includes a regional, collegial exchange of knowledge between the farms, thematic hubs and an upscaling via practical formats and materials, which are both made freely accessible on a permanent basis and widely disseminated and continued through the involvement of multipliers. The network is being set up using impact-oriented, participatory methods and is geared towards sustainability from the outset through close cooperation with around 20 associated partners from the fields of networking, research, consultancy and transfer.

Organic fruit growing network for the development and testing of resilient farm systems involving the entire value chain

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:18:27 +0200

Most German organic fruit farms focus on apples with a few main varieties and are therefore heavily dependent on the input of external resources, especially plant protection products, and are very susceptible to disruptive factors caused by climate change. The aim of the project is to develop regionally adapted strategies in a participatory process involving the entire value chain and in all major fruit-growing regions to increase the resilience of farms through less input-dependent cultivation and a greater diversity of robust apple varieties and pears, and possibly also apricots. In the area of apple varieties in particular, the market provides very contradictory incentives. Club concepts are increasingly leading to greater dependency on farms and exclude certain types of farms that are not associated with the appropriate marketing structures. In order to implement the strategies developed, an umbrella brand concept is therefore to be developed in cooperation with partners along the entire value chain in terms of content and expertise, which is open to all farms and enables a diversity of varieties on the farm. Strategies for improved soil and water management, the increased use of functional biodiversity and the optimisation of overall ecosystem services will also be developed. In addition, a ‘resilience check’ is to be integrated into the ZBG's farm comparison 4.0 based on the project results and a farm survey on current and planned future strategies for greater resilience. Knowledge of the side effects of plant protection products is a key tool for an optimised strategy that protects beneficial organisms. However, this information is currently only available to a limited extent and is sometimes contradictory. The JKI aims to collate the available knowledge, discuss it with experts and prepare it as an attractive offer for practitioners and advisors.

Organic fruit growing network for the development and testing of resilient farm systems involving the entire value chain

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:15:10 +0200

Organic fruit growing network for the development and testing of resilient farm systems involving the entire value chain

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:12:51 +0200

Organic fruit growing network for the development and testing of resilient farm systems involving the entire value chain

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:10:20 +0200

Organic fruit growing network for the development and testing of resilient farm systems involving the entire value chain

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:05:23 +0200

The aim of the farmers-led research network (PFN) on agroforestry systems (AFS) in organic farming (OF) is to establish a permanent network of approx. 20 organic farms with AFS as well as research and consulting for the investigation and dissemination of resilience-enhancing measures for OF through AFS. In order to ensure the continuity of the PFN's work, around 20 associated partners from networking, consulting, transfer and research will be actively involved. The aim is to achieve networking and dissemination of the practical results far beyond the duration of the PFN and throughout Germany. The aim of the PFN is to harness the potential of AFS to increase resilience for the OF sector. The work focuses on the development of action-oriented, applicable resilience concepts. AFS can reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts and biodiversity loss and thus increase the ecological resilience of agricultural production systems. In addition, they make OF sustainable by making a clearly positive contribution to climate and water protection, increasing animal welfare and diversifying the product range with increased domestic production of nuts and fruit as central building blocks of the planetary diet, thus ensuring the UN sustainability goal of health through the 'One Health' approach as the health of all organisms in the agroecosystem, including humans. In addition to increasing ecological resilience, AFS also have the potential to increase the socio-economic resilience of farms through diversification of the cultivation system, new business models, public benefits and potentially socially recognized forms of cultivation. As part of the project, JKI will investigate the influence of AFS on soil health and the link between soil and plant health.

Organic fruit growing network for the development and testing of resilient farm systems involving the entire value chain

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:49:21 +0200

Organic fruit growing network for the development and testing of resilient farm systems involving the entire value chain

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:46:21 +0200

Organic fruit growing network for the development and testing of resilient farm systems involving the entire value chain

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:06:16 +0200

Animal welfare monitoring in organic agriculture – improving animal welfare and making it transparent

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:05:05 +0200

Aim of the project is to further develop a reliable, transparent and feasible concept for animal welfare inspections of organic farms within organic controls. This will mainly be based on animal-based indicators that were found to be valid in previous scientific studies, in animal welfare inspection concepts already used by various control bodies and organic associations, or for similar welfare assessment purposes. These are to be reviewed and, if necessary, further developed regarding validity, reliability and feasibility. Major challenges are the great diversity of farms due to regional and structural differences, as well as the time and costs required for training inspectors and implementing the animal welfare audits on farms. Based on existing systems and in coordination with the German organic sector, the methodology for risk-oriented inspectioons will be developed in a participatory approach, which incorporates existing farm data as well as animal-based data collected by the farmers themselves. The latter can additionally be used by the farms for the animal welfare self-assessment required by the German Animal Welfare Act. The aim of the animal welfare audit within organic inspections is to identify farms with marked animal welfare problems, to initiate an improvement of animal welfare on these farms and, if necessary in case of failure to improve a deficient initial situation, to derive measures and sanctions to be implemented. Online and on-farm training concepts will be further developed for managing the competence of new and experienced inspectors.